UPDATE: Evanston Snow Advisory- City Asking Residents to Volunatarily Observe Snow Emergency Guidelines

With today’s snowfall of more than four inches over the City, the Public Works Department is requesting that residents voluntarily observe the Snow Emergency Parking restrictions for Wednesday, January 12th and Thursday, January 13th, 2011.

Residents are asked to avoid parking on the even side of residential streets on Wednesday of this week, and to avoid parking on the odd side of the street on Thursday of this week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Enforcement measures such as towing or ticketing will not take place with this voluntary observance of the snow emergency parking measures on the residential streets. This voluntary observance of the Snow Emergency parking guidelines will greatly assist our City staff in the ongoing snow removal operations in our residential neighborhoods.

Residents should remember to allow themselves additional time when travelling, and extra distance between vehicles to allow for the winter driving conditions.

The City of Evanston has also declared a Snow Route Parking Ban for tonight, Tuesday, January 11, 2011. During the Snow Route Parking Ban, main thoroughfares in Evanston designated as Snow Routes will be cleared first, and parking is illegal on these streets between 11 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, January 11, 2011 and and 6 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12, 2011.

Community members are requested to park according to the red, white and blue signs on their streets to allow the City to effectively clear the snow. Emergency sirens will sound to alert community members to move their cars at 8:15 p.m. on nights snow route parking bans are in effect after an accumulation of two inches of snow.  Even if plows have been through, snow removal operations may require return visits by City trucks. The fine for violating the Snow Route Parking ban is $50 plus towing and storage charges.

When community members move their cars to nearby side streets, they are reminded to follow the snow clearing regulations for that side street.

Inquiries about snow removal should be directed to Streets and Sanitation, (847) 866-2940, or publicworks@cityofevanston.org.

For updates on Evanston’s snow situation, tune in right here at AM1650, turn on Cable Channel 16, visit the City’s web site, www.cityofevanston.org/snow, visit the City’s Facebook/Twitter/City Blog from its home page, sign up for e-News alerts on City’s home page or call (847) 864-SNOW.